Comeback nets Fort Cherry 3rd place, 20th win
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PITTSBURGH – Shane Cornali scored a game-high 26 points and Fort Cherry used a fourth-quarter comeback to defeat host Northgate 71-62 in the WPIAL Class 2A third-place boys basketball game Thursday night.
The win means Fort Cherry (20-6), which clinched its third consecutive 20-win season, will begin play in the PIAA tournament Saturday, March 9 against the second-place team from District 9, either Karns City or Redbank Valley.
Against Northgate (18-7), the Rangers overcame a turnover-filled first half and a six-point deficit after three quarters. The Rangers outscored the Flames 25-10 in the pivotal final period.
After taking the lead, Fort Cherry was able to protect it at the free-throw line. The Rangers made 11 of 16 free throws in the fourth quarter.
Cornali, who was 5-for-8 at the line down the stretch, had a double-double. He finished with 13 rebounds.
Derek Errett scored 20 points and Corey Bouchelle contributed 10 rebounds.
Errett also became FC’s all-time leader in assists with 394, surpassing Wade Timmerson’s record.
Tylan Daniels and Kadmer Kemp led four Northgate players in double figures with 16 points apiece. Josh Williams had 15 and Landon Lockett scored 10.